The Iranian Mathematician behind the Data Transmission Revolution
Tehran – BORNA: An Iranian professor at ETH Zurich revolutionized data transmission with the design of Raptor and RaptorQ codes — a breakthrough that is the building block of the Internet, streaming platforms, and space communications, and earned him the Mustafa(pbuh) Prize.
Zahra Vojdani: In this modern era of high-speed communication and data explosion, ensuring the quality and stability of information transfer is a major challenge. Every day, billions of images, videos, and messages move across global networks; yet behind this massive flow of data, there is an intricate scientific discipline ensuring that no packet of information is lost along the way. Among the most important breakthroughs in this field is the development of Forward Error-Correction (FEC) methods, which make it possible to recover missing data without the need for retransmission.
Amin Shokrollahi, Iranian mathematician and professor at the Swiss Federal Technology Institute of Lausanne, is an established icon in this field. With his Raptor and RaptorQ codes, he has moved the frontiers of mathematics and information theory, redefining the very foundation of the World Wide Web, video streaming services and space systems. For his groundbreaking achievements, Shokrollahi received the Mustafa(pbuh) Prize, an award symbolizing Muslim scientists’ excellence across the globe.
In this article, we will go through Shokrollahi’s academic life, how he came up with Raptor and RaptorQ codes, the widespread applications of these inventions in the communication industries and why he was selected as a Mustafa(pbuh) Prize laureate.
Revolution in Data Transmission
Within more than two decades of thorough scientific research on FEC, Shokrollahi has introduced innovative approaches for recovering lost packets in communication networks. He addressed the limitations of previous generations of data coding by inventing Raptor and RaptorQ code and introduced an efficient algorithm for secure data transmission on the Internet and satellite and wireless communication platforms.
Big tech companies such as YouTube and Netflix owe their smooth 4K and 8K videos to Shokrollahi’s innovations. International space systems and high-capacity telecommunication infrastructures also rely on his innovations.
From Idea to Standardization
The first attempts at designing codes resistant to data loss were carried out in the 1990s, which led to the introduction of Tornado Codes and, then, LT Codes. Although these methods showed progress, they still had significant technical limitations.
In 2004, Shokrollahi introduced Raptor codes, building on aforementioned innovations and collaborating with Michael Luby, the inventor of LT codes and founder of the Digital Fountain.
This innovation entailed that the amount of extra data required to fully recover the original packets was only 10 per cent. On the other hand, computational complexities were significantly reduced. Such characteristics allowed the technology to move to industrial application and be adopted as the Global Standard RFC 5053.
In 2011, Shokrollahi introduced the advanced RaptorQ code, setting yet another global benchmark. This advanced code pushed the tolerance for data loss to about 27 percent while requiring only 1 to 5 percent extra data. Such unprecedented efficiency in the history of FEC firmly established Shokrollahi’s reputation worldwide as a bridge between mathematical theory and industrial application.
Widespread Industrial Applications
Raptor and RaptorQ codes now play a central role in communications, data storage, and space systems. They enable uninterrupted streaming, boost the efficiency of satellite networks, and provide a stable communications infrastructure in critical situations.
Today, Shokrollahi is focusing on new projects that combine FEC codes with artificial intelligence. This research has potential applications in autonomous vehicles, virtual reality, and the metaverse, paving the way for a new generation of intelligent communications infrastructure.
Global Recognition and the Mustafa(pbuh) Prize
For his achievements, Shokrollahi was chosen as a laureate of the Mustafa(pbuh) Prize, the most prestigious scientific award in the Islamic world. His selection not only highlights his outstanding scientific contributions on the global stage but also symbolizes the capabilities and influence of Iranian scientists in the world.
The history of science often shows that every major leap in human civilization has been made possible by scholars who transformed complex theories into tools that improve lives. In today’s world, which is becoming increasingly dependent on technology, such achievements matter more than ever. Innovations like the Raptor and RaptorQ codes remind us how narrow the line is between pure science and everyday human needs, and how it is only through the dedication and creativity of scientists that these boundaries are crossed.
Celebrating these accomplishments and recognizing figures such as Amin Shokrollahi is not merely honoring an individual; it is an affirmation of the value of science and inspires future generations, reminding them that global progress is shaped by the ideas of scientists and the innovations they bring.
